Bhagiratha's mother told him of the unfulfilled wish of his father and grandfather. Both his father and grandfather wanted to bring Ganga down to earth to attain salvation for Bhagiratha's grandfathers. But they could not succeed. Bhagiratha vowed to his mother that he shall work hard and bring the sacred Ganga to earth.

Bhagiratha decided to perform a "Tapas" to Lord Brahma. He said to his wife, " Duty comes first and then pleasure next. Let me go into Tapas". He went to the Himalayas. He started meditation in Padmasana posture. In the winter, he performed an intense tapas by standing in a lake with water up to his neck. Then he took a more severe kind of tapas in the summer, standing in the midst of burning fires on all four sides. A bright flame emerged from Bhagiratha also and it became as radiant as the Sun itself. Unable to bear that, all the gods in Heaven went and appealed to Brahma to protect them. Brahma consoled them and went to Bhagiratha. Brahma said, " O Bhagiratha! I am pleased with your tapas. What is your wish? ". Bhagiratha was very happy to see Brahma. Bhagiratha told Brahma " My forefathers in the nether world ( patala lokam ) dead and burnt to ashes. The divine Ganga herself has to come to deliver them. So, please send the divine river and help me." Brahma replied, " I can gladly send Ganga. But the earth cannot bear her terrible force. So somebody will have to control her force. It can be done only by Iswara, the Lord of all Worlds. Persuade Iswara to arrest the force of Ganga and quieten her. Then I will send Ganga."

Bhagiratha began a severe tapas again for Lord Iswara. With folded hands, standing on one leg, he meditated deeply on Lord Iswara. Finally Iswara was pleased and granted the wish of Bhagiratha to control the turbulence of the descending Ganga. Lord Iswara stood on a big peak nearby, ready to recieve the divine river.

Ganga following the order of Lord Brahma decided to flow down to the earth. But she was proud of her force and decided to drag Lord Iswara along with the waters, so that the Gods in heaven would have some fun. Iswara felt the impact of the powerful flow. He knew that Ganga was haughty. So, he became wild with anger. As Ganga came down on him with a deafening roar, he tied her up amidst his flowing tresses so tightly that she couldn't slip away. Thus Ganga who came to drag him was imprisoned by him. Arrogant people not only bring suffering on themselves, but also cause trouble to those who depend on them.

Bhagiratha saw this and noticed the new difficulty that came up. He at once stood with folded hands and prayed to Lord Iswara to let Ganga flow to liberate his ancestors. Iswara said " I shall release Ganga in seven streams so that she cannot cause trouble again in her pride. One stream will follow you ". Bhagiratha took Ganga through the hole that his ancestors (sons of Sagara had dug it). The whole area now filled with a sheet of water came to be known as Sagara, or the Ocean since it was dug by the sons of Sagara. Ganga touched the ashes of Bhagiratha's ancestors and liberated them.

This story reveals Bhagiratha's great devotion to duty. It shows how his strong determination which was not shaken by any kind of obstacle on the way helped him achieve his goal. We should have such a strong will power to achieve our goals.